Canine Upper Respiratory Illness
Attention all DOG PARENTS and CARETAKERS….listen up‼️ A lot of info, but it is VERY IMPORTANT TO READ! Your dogs’ life could depend on it…
PSA regarding the new (undetermined) Canine Upper Respiratory Illness that is currently moving quickly about the country. It is unknown at this time if it is viral, bacterial, or a new strain of an already existing pathogen. Bottom line is that very little is known and info likely won’t be available for some time – as testing on affected patients has only just begun. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Watch the reel and read the articles linked in the comments on the Facebook Post now!
Much like in 2020, during the beginnings of covid in people, avoidance, distancing, immunity and vaccination boosters are the best frontlines of defense. What does this mean for your dog….?
- Ensure your vaccines are up to date. This includes Bordatella, Canine/Parainfluenza, da2pp (parvo/distemper) and Rabies vaccines. (influenza vaccines require a booster 3wks after the initial vaccine and all require a booster every 1 or 3 years – check with your Vet)
But remember….the current illness is yet to be determined. Staying current on ALL canine vaccines is critical, but does NOT mean guaranteed protection. (no vaccine can provide that 100%)
- Avoid common areas such as dog parks, sniffspots, day care and boarding. Even if that means changing some travel plans….your dog is worth it! Join this awesome Facebook group for tons of great at home and DIY enrichment activities to help keep your pup on their A-game.
- Only book necessary veterinary and grooming appointments and talk with your provider about the extra steps they are taking to limit potential cross contamination. Consider having your pup wait safely in the car until they have a room ready for you, avoiding lobby contact with other dogs altogether. You can also consider mobile service options for both – feel free to reach out to us if you need recommendations – [email protected]
- Ask your dog sitters, dog walkers and all other dog Service providers what they are doing to take precautions in the best interest of their clients and if they don’t have a protocol in place, it’s time they adopt one.
- Limit contact with other dogs such as in-home visits, play-groups, stopping to say “hi” on the trail, etc. Walk your dogs in low-profile locations where contact with others can be regulated.
- If you are an industry service provider, Shelter worker, Rescue director, Trainer, etc……please make sure you are implementing best practices to protect those you serve. A full spectrum disinfectant such as *Rescue or *Watchdog should be used in all common areas and in between dogs on your clothes, in your cars, crates, etc.
If you have questions……contact your Vet for more info, they want to help.
Keep a close eye on your dog and be mindful of any symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, ocular or nasal discharge, lethargy, inappetence, or if they “just don’t seem right”. If you observe any of these symptoms, contact your Veterinarian by phone immediately to determine the next steps.
We are working to stay on top of any new info as it becomes available and are having active conversations with our VetMed partners and industry service providers as we speak. I don’t want to “panic” anyone but I will always lean towards the side of caution when it comes to the dogs we all adore. As they say…I am a “little extra”, but I would rather be safe than sorry, any day. “Hope for the best and plan for the worst” is the motto I live by.
As of now and until further notice, we have stopped all dog park, sniffspot, day care and boarding activities for all NMDOGS. They depend on us to keep them safe and we depend on the info we are provided to make smart decisions for them. As a result, this is our decision. It’s up to us to protect them the best that we can.
